Benjamin Hebblethwaite
Romance Languages & Literatures, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Introduction of Haitian Creole Linguistics
Introduction of Haitian Creole Linguistics focuses on the linguistics of Haitian Creole and other related French-lexifier Creole languages (including those found in Martinique, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Saint Lucia, French Guyana, and Louisiana). We apply the sub-fields of syntax, morphology, phonology, semantics, lexicology, language contact, and sociolinguistics to these Caribbean languages. The class internationalizes the curriculum by examining languages and populations that originate outside of the United States. Haitian immigration into Florida (250,000 persons) and our Haitian-American student body at UF (approximately 400 students) are evidence that Haitian Creole also has a regional impact. This class meets an important need by providing students with a better understanding of a strategic international language that directly impacts immigration and settlement in Florida.
This grant funds travel to Haiti, Martinique and Guadeloupe in order to accomplish three goals linked to this class: to conduct interviews in Creole, to purchase texts and recordings, and to make contacts with other academics regarding my Haitian Creole adaptation of the board game Scrabble. The interviews will be shared with my students in order illustrate linguistic features and differences across the Caribbean. These interviews and the materials purchased will ultimately be deposited in Smathers Latin American collection to be shared with students. This project benefits students, the University of Florida, and my research on French-lexifier Creole languages and the methods of literacy.